Tag Archives: perfect books

I Love Libraries

The purpose of writing a book is so that people can read them. And, while I love seeing people buy my books, I also love the fact that they can read them, for free, at their local library. That’s why I actively support libraries. I do that by providing copies from my own supply to the Ottawa Public Library and the Kemptville Branch of the North Grenville Library. I spend part of my working time in both communities. So why not give a little back to those who support readers and writers? And I sent a couple of copies of the latest book, Friends are Forever, to the Grand Bank Public Library, because, well… you have to read a Sgt. Windflower book to figure that out.

The reason I do this is because libraries gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. A love of reading. The ability to travel the world and visit other worlds. A way to not just escape boredom and drudgery but to live other lives and meet a wider range of people and characters that I could never have accomplished on my own. So, it’s an easy decision to give back to libraries. They may have saved my life.

But public libraries are like every other public service these days. Under-staffed and under-funded. Many do not have the budget to buy new books and those that do can only afford to purchase one or two copies. That means long wait times for almost any new release. So, please ask your local library to consider buying some copies of Friends are Forever so that they can be available to all readers. Or maybe donate your copy after you read it. Sharing the gift that you have received with someone else will bring new pleasure. Guranteed.

I hope that you will read Friends are Forever, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery. And I don’t care if you get it from the library, from a bookstore, or from a friend. More than that, I hope you enjoy it. Let it take you away to little Grand Bank, Newfoundland where the locals are friendly, the cheesecake is wonderful and the weather… well, we won’t talk about the weather.

Thank you for supporting my writing and Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

Friends are Forever

Friends are Forever expertly weaves together small-town charm with high-stakes intrigue. Set in the picturesque backdrop of Newfoundland and Labrador, the story follows Sgt. Winston Windflower, as he navigates not just a celebration of RCMP promotions, but also the aftermath of a sophisticated heist involving international mobsters and local biker gangs.

The vivid cultural and geographical details transport readers to Marystown and Grand Bank, where por’ cakes, lighthouses, and family gatherings are as much a part of the tale as the unfolding crime. While the stakes are high, Friends Are Forever is a story of resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring power of human connection. Both longtime fans of Sgt. Windflower and new readers alike will find themselves captivated by this compelling blend of small-town life and crime-solving adventure. With its unique setting and heartfelt storytelling, Friends Are Forever is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts.

Friends are Forever is available as always from Amazon all over the world or directly from Ottawa Press and Publishing. https://www.ottawapressandpublishing.com/

Copies are also available from these fine bookstores:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Soon from select Chapters/Indigo stores as well

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

Twitter

@mike54martin

@mike54martin

Why I’m Giving Books Away:  The Sgt. Windflower Reading Equality Program

Why I’m Giving Books Away:  The Sgt. Windflower Reading Equality Program

I have now published fourteen books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series (plus Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries Vol 1 and 2) and each time I have chosen to give away a number of copies, absolutely free. Not only that, but I actively seek out strangers or near strangers on social media to give them away to. Now, I am not giving away all copies of my books. I am neither rich nor daft and I am not particularly altruistic, but I do believe in helping people to read my book.

And quite honestly not everyone can afford to buy a book, especially new books. Tons of people are living on a tight budget, on social assistance or on a fixed income because of disability or not being able to work anymore. It’s hard to comprehend in this world of plenty, but twenty bucks is a lot of money if you haven’t got it and one of the ‘luxuries’ that many people give up is purchasing new books. They wait until they are available from the library or get them from friends or from the second-hand bookstore. I support libraries, but why do some people have to wait?

I realize that I can’t give anybody a raise in their monthly stipend to help them with their book budget, but I can help at least a few of them enjoy my new books, fresh out of the printer’s box. I believe in an idea called Reading Equality, a radically new concept that everyone should have access to quality, new release books. That’s why I am making 20 copies of Better Safe Than Sorry available to people on a low or fixed income. I am advertising this offer on Facebook and Twitter and as the time of writing there are still a few copies left.

If you want one or know of someone who could use one but can’t afford it, just message me with the mailing address and I will send a copy in the mail. And yes, I will even sign them. No questions asked. You can send me a message thru Sgt. Windflower Mysteries or Facebook.

Of course, if you have the money, I hope you will consider buying a copy for yourself. Maybe even one for somebody you know doesn’t have the cash. Pay it forward. It works for me.

And if you want to help get this book into even more hands, ask your local library to order a copy. They’re looking for your suggestions. And if they don’t have the budget, tell them to contact me and we’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse.

You can get Better Safe Than Sorry from Chapters/Indigo/Coles bookstores in Ottawa and soon in Atlantic Canada and from these fine independent bookstores:

Ottawa

Books on Beechwood (Signed copies available)

Perfect Books (Signed copies available)

Toronto

Sleuth of Baker Street (Signed copies available)

St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador

Downhome Shoppe and Gallery on Water Street

You can purchase a copy of Better Safe Than Sorry from Amazon all over the world

Buy Links

Amazon CA | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU

Follow Sgt. Windflower on Facebook

Twitter

@mike54martin

On Libraries and Bookstores

I love seeing my books on the shelves of a bookstore. It makes me feel good. Especially when the bookstore is an independent one in my neighbourhood. But I appreciate my books being in a library even more. That’s why one of the first things I did when I got my author copies of Better Safe Than Sorry, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery, was to donate copies to the Ottawa Public Library and the Kemptville Branch of the North Grenville Library. I spend part of my working time in both communities. So why not give a little back to those who support readers and writers. And I sent a couple of copies to the Grand Bank Public Library, because, well… you have to read a Sgt. Windflower book to figure that out.

I also love bookstores, all kinds of bookstores. Big box, small box, no box and out of the box. My favourites are independent bookstores. Like Perfect Books and Books on Beechwood in Ottawa and the slowly closing Sleuth of Baker Street in Toronto. They are not just places I visit. They are my friends. They help me, they support me and hundreds of other small, independent writers who are trying to make a mark in an ocean of books.

The reason I do this is because libraries gave me one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. A love of reading. The ability to travel the world and visit other worlds. A way to not just escape boredom and drudgery but to live other lives and meet a wider range of people and characters that I could never have accomplished on my own. So, it’s an easy decision to give back to libraries. They may have saved my life.

I hope that you will read Better Safe Than Sorry, the new Sgt. Windflower Mystery. And I don’t care if you get it from the library, from a bookstore, or from a friend. More than that, I hope you enjoy it. Let it take you away to little Grand Bank, Newfoundland where the locals are friendly, the cheesecake is wonderful and the weather… well, we won’t talk about the weather.

Thank you for supporting my writing and Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

Better Safe Than Sorry is available at select Chapters/Coles/Indigo bookstores. And from Amazon all over the world.

Signed copies available at:

Sleuth of Baker Street bookstore, Toronto

Books on Beechwood, Ottawa

Perfect Books, Ottawa

Follow Sgt. Windflower Mysteries on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore